We’re always told to “follow your passion.” It sounds magical — like once you discover what you love, everything else will fall into place. Success will be easy, motivation will never run out and life will feel full.
But here’s what they don’t tell you: passion doesn’t protect you from burnout.
In fact, sometimes, it’s what burns you the most.
I used to think passion was enough. That if I truly loved something — veterinary medicine, writing, design, leadership — I could keep giving and giving, and never run dry. I believed exhaustion only came from doing the wrong things, not the things I loved.
But I was wrong. Very Wrong.
There were days I felt like I had nothing left to give, even for the things that once lit up my soul. I’d stare at a blank page, wanting to write — but nothing came. Or I’d have a big campaign or quiz project and just feel... tired. Not physically, but emotionally tired. Like joy had quietly walked away, and I didn’t notice until it was gone.
And then came the guilt.
“How can you be tired of something you love?”
“Do you even deserve to call it your passion?”
“Others are doing so much more with less — what’s wrong with you?”
That’s the unspoken part of chasing your dreams: the pressure to always be passionate, always excited, always “on.” It becomes performance. And when your heart starts to whisper that it needs rest, you feel like a fraud for listening.
But over time, I’ve learned that true passion isn’t loud or relentless. It doesn’t need to constantly shout. Sometimes, passion is quiet. Sometimes, it’s in the pause. Sometimes, the most passionate thing you can do is step away — to refill, to breathe, to remind yourself that you are more than your output.
It took me a while, but I started giving myself permission to rest. Not quit — just rest.
To take breaks from everything I love without the fear that it would disappear.
I believed that, if I didn't even have anything left to give, that would be when it would actually disappear.
So now, when I feel that heaviness in my chest — that sense of overwhelm even when doing what I love — I check in with myself:
Am I creating from joy or obligation?
Do I need rest, not motivation?
Have I made room for other parts of me — the quiet, the messy, the unsure?
If you’re feeling burned out doing what you love, I just want you to know: you’re not broken and you’re human being. You need rest and don't think your passion is gone.
Rather, it’s just asking for air.
Let it breathe. You’ll find it again and it will become better than before, like a raging fire.
You would end up being the one feeling, "oh! My passion is too much."
Let me tell you a story, that you may probably relate with.
I was working for this company at that point, I was with this company for 5-6 months, when things started taking a dark turn.
At first, my editor recommended me to this his special group of authors whom he has more hope on because of our diverse writing style.
I was happy, proud, name it. But, then when I sat down to write, and I submitted my manuscript, he rejected it.
I wrote different manuscripts and they kept getting rejected.
I almost spiralled into depression.
I calmed myself down and asked myself what exactly is wrong. I went to my editor and asked him for proper guidance. Despite everything, I still couldn't give him the level of manuscript he was looking for.
I was sad and dejected, then something came to my mind, "You probably need a break. You need to research on their writing style but do not lose yours."
After that, I told him I would not longer be working with them, because I could not suit his preference. We had a good conversation and he wished me the best of luck and even asked me to stick around, maybe once I got it, I can join them back.
I thanked him and the following week, I got contracted by another company for another project.
That was when I realized that, my writing style doesn't suck, it just wasn't suited for what they wanted and the break I took was worth it.
So, taking a break isn't a sin. Rather it will increase the passion you have for what you do and you will find yourself doing it better.
Thank You for reading my Post.
NB: All Pictures are gotten from Meta Ai.
